Emily McKernan

Emily’s Big Idea: Inspired by one of her student’s science fair projects, Emily created a module investigating the myriad of bacteria we encounter every day. Using high-powered microscopes, Emily and her class learned to identify different types of bacteria; learned, understood and practiced bacterial culture techniques; and understood the reasons for antibiotic use and the dangers of antibiotic resistance. Additionally, students gained invaluable experience operating scientific equipment. This experience helped instill confidence and competence in students when they operated this equipment in higher-level science classes.

Interesting Facts: “I live in northern New York. Think Canada and you are close – I can see the lights of Cornwall and sometimes Montreal from my house. I teach grade 5/6 science in a small, rural, Title 1 school. Before my teaching career, my husband and I owned and operated a 120-cow dairy farm.”